Device for imparting continuous passive motion to human joints

Abstract

An apparatus for applying continuous passive motion to the joints of several fingers of the hand at the same time. It includes a support housing for mounting it on the forearm, carrying a motor and a traveller movable by a motor through an elongated path in a reciprocating movement. A connecting rod connects the traveller to a manifold block which, in turn, has elements connected to several fingers whereby their joints are mobilized simultaneously.

I claim: 
     
       1. A portable continuous passive motion apparatus for hand digit joint mobilizing, comprising, a support for firm mounting on the forearm for portable carriage thereby,   an actuator mounted on the support including motor means for producing continuous linear reciprocating movements of a portion of an elongated connnecting member, and,   said elongated connecting member linking the actuator with the distal part of a hand digit whereby the joints of the digit are continuously mobilized.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus, as defined in claim 1, in which, the actuator includes a reversible motor which will reverse on the imposition of a predetermined load whereby the stroke may be reversed at any point in its path. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus for mobilizing the joints of a plurality of digits of the hand, comprising, a support and means for mounting the support beneath the forearm for portable carriage thereby,   motor and transmission means carried by the support,   travelling means movable by said transmission means through an elonagted path in reciprocating linear movements,   a connecting rod connected to the travelling means and extending from the support to an end spaced therefrom,   a manifold connected to the end of the connecting rod,   separate means connecting the manifold to the tips of each of several digits of the hand whereby they are bent back and forth and their joints are mobilized simultaneously as the manifold is moved back and forth by the travelling means in linear strokes.   
     
     
       4. An apparatus, as defined in claim 3, in which the connecting means includes, a connector mounted on the distal ends of a plurality of fingers,   a connecting wire extending from the manifold and having a terminal end near each of said fingers,   means for linking each of said terminal ends to said connector whereby a plurality of fingers are harnessed to said block for simultaneous mobilization.   
     
     
       5. An apparatus, as defined in claim 1, in which the means for connecting the manifold to each digit of the hand includes a connecting rod, connected to the manifold at one end, a clevis connected to the rod at the other end, a plate held to the distal part of each digit, and a pivotal connection between the clevis and plate. 
     
     
       6. A portable continuous passive motion apparatus for hand digit joint mobilizing, comprising, mounting means for firm connection to the arm for portable carriage thereby,   a support conectable to the mounting means,   an actuator mounted on the support for producing continuous linear reciprocating movements,   an elongated connecting member linking the actuator with the distal part of a hand digit whereby the joints of the digit are continuously mobilized,   the actuator means including a motor and an endless chain driven thereby through an elongated circuit and the elongated connecting member connected to said chain to travel therewith throughout the circuit producing back and forth movements,   in which the motor is a gear reduced DC electric motor having a drive shaft and a sprocket on the drive shaft,   a shaft parallel to the drive shaft carrying an idling sprocket aligned with a drive sprocket,   said chain is operatively mounted on and extends between the sprockets and is made up of a plurality of links connected by pins,   the elongated connecting member being an actuator rod having one end connected to one of said links and projecting from said housing, and guide means on the housing guiding the actuator rod.   
     
     
       7. An apparatus, as defined in claim 6, in which the motor is a reversible motor which will reverse on the imposition of a predetermined load whereby the stroke may be reversed at any point in its path.